Indonesia must win 70 golds to beat Thailand in SEA Games
Indonesia must win 70 golds to beat Thailand in SEA Games
JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) official in
charge of athletes development, Mochamad Hindarto, says Indonesia
will need at least 70 golds to retain the overall title at the
20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam in August.
Hindarto warned on Tuesday that Indonesia would face a tough
challenge from arch-rival Thailand, especially in athletics,
swimming and shooting.
"If we want to retain the title we won here two years ago, we
must win at least 70 of 235 golds at stake. Thailand, based on
our observations in the 13th Asian Games last year, has shown
great improvement in their second stringers. It will threaten our
goal if we fail in our prospective winning events," he said.
In track and field, the Indonesian Amateur Athletics
Association (PASI) has set a target of six of 41 golds on offer.
Hopes are for first-place finishes in the women's 1,500 meters,
5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, women's 100 meters and 200 meters
and men's pole vault.
Two years ago, Malaysia dominated the track in grabbing 16
golds, followed by Thailand with 15 and Indonesia with eight.
In the pool, Indonesia will likely scoop only five of 37
golds. Women's swimmers Rita Mariani and Catherine Surya are
considered unlikely to compete in the biennial event, which will
take place from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.
Reports said butterfly specialist Catherine suffered a right
thigh injury and was undergoing treatment in the capital. Rita is
reportedly unprepared for the event.
"If the swimming body thinks both Rita and Catherine are not
ready for the Games, they must report the matter to us. We have
registered their names because their were no reports to us. Due
to this situation, we will have to revise our medal estimation,"
Hindarto said.
Rita and Catherine, who are hoped to win six golds, will be
replaced by Nani Iskandar and Dyah Ayu. Other SEA Games team
members are being trained in Brisbane, Australia, under the
supervision of coach Svensen Raleigh. The team will return home
on July 15.
From shooting, Indonesia hopes to win two of 12 golds from the
women's individual and team skeet shooting. Two years ago,
Indonesia won 11 of 22 golds.
Separately, Indonesian Rowing and Canoeing Association (PODSI)
secretary-general Budiman Setiawan declined to mention the
organization's target but said Myanmar would be the toughest
opponent.
"Myanmar didn't compete in the Taipei Open where we won two
golds last week. But I heard from one of the officials that the
Myanmar athletes began their training program in March. We were
six weeks later than them," he said.
Budiman admitted that 50 Indonesian traditional boat racers,
who are in training for the Games, have yet to reach their
required physical condition due to the late training program.
"We have tested their physical condition twice and both
results were far from satisfactory. We'll stage the tests twice
next month and, hopefully, they can improve their condition." He
added that he hoped the athletes could bring home all eight golds
on offer.
Indonesian Tae Kwon Do Association (TI) secretary-general
Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid said the organization hired a coach from the
marine, Sukarji, to improve the competitiveness of its seven
female and eight male athletes.
"Our athletes always have problems with their killer instinct
before fighting. Hopefully, our new measure will help them
overcome their mental barrier." He named the Vietnamese and
Filipinos as tough rivals.(yan)